The latest news and information regarding St. Louis car accidents. Car accident attorney Christopher Hoffmann provides useful tips on what to do if you are involved a Missouri auto accident and how you can work to prevent such accidents from happening.

Legal

08/27/2019

Today’s vehicles pride themselves on offering great driving experience, which refers both to the way the cars perform in the roads of Missouri, as well as how comfortable you are behind the wheel.

However, are you toocomfortable? Certain positions in your car may not be that safe and actually prevent you from acting fast when you need it. Here are some common driving or passenger positions that are very dangerous for you.

Feet on the Dashboard

On a nice drive through a clear road, your passenger may try to stretch their legs by placing them on the dashboard to relax. However, this position is very dangerous in the event of an accident, because the triggered airbag can cause serious injuries.

The accident doesn’t have to be severe. Some airbags are more sensitive and may be triggered even at a small impact.

Sitting Too Close to the Wheel

This is another position that can hurt you in case the airbag is triggered. The airbag will hit you at around 200mph, and the force may be just too much if you are sitting very close to the wheel. You should keep the recommended 10-inch distance.

Driving with the Arms (and Legs) Hanging Outside

Many drivers will let their hand out of the window of the vehicles. Needless to say, this is a very dangerous position, as you could seriously hurt yourself, or even have your limbs severed if another car hits you. Additionally, if you’re driving at a higher speed, your hand could be hit by a number of common objects like trees or poles, and you may not have enough time to pull it into the car before impact.

Not Wearing a Seatbelt

Even though the benefits of wearing a seatbelt are now common knowledge, roughly11% of US drivers admit to skipping it sometimes. The number of backseat passengers that do not wear a seatbelt is even higher. The fact that legally only the driver and front-seat passenger are required to wear a seatbelt is a possible explanation for this.

Depending on the circumstances, car accident victims may legally eligible to get compensated for their injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering. If you have suffered because of another driver, reach out to a St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as you can.

Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation with an experienced attorney.

07/18/2019

One of the biggest mistakes car accident victims make is not getting medically checked right after the incident. When the collision is minor, such as a small fender bender, it’s very easy to dismiss it and think you’re ok.

However, a doctor is the only one who can tell you if you’re really fine or not. You may not even tell how you feel right after the accident because of all the adrenaline pumping through your body, nature’s way of protecting you from pain. But once that lowers, you’ll soon start to feel the true repercussions of the accident.

How Your Health May Be Damaged

Your body can suffer the consequences of a car accident even if the collision was minor. There are many studies showing that victims of car accidents can experience complications even weeks after the incident took place.

For instance, you could suffer from some heart issues. If the chest gets directly hit by the airbag, you can experience shortness of breath right after the accident, but not give it much thought until your condition seriously worsens, and require additional medical interventions. The airbag is designed to protect you and may go off even if the accident is not at all serious. But the blow to the chest can leave more damage.

And there are countless other examples of injuries a person may experience after a minor car crash:

The blow doesn’t have to be violent or leave physical marks right away. If you get hit at a specific place where your body is vulnerable, you could suffer from serious injuries as a result of the car accident.

This is all just physical damage. People involved in car accidents can also be affected on an emotional or psychological level. Everyone reacts differently to car accidents, even minor ones, so it’s possible to also experience some anxiety after a car crash or even develop a fear of cars or driving. Additionally, the physical injuries you have may also affect your mind. People with severe injuries often experience depression or other mental disorders.

What Can You Do?

After a car accident, it’s imperative to seek medical attention. They can tell if you have anything to worry about medically, and even advise you to remain under observation in case your initial symptoms are unclear.

Then, the next step is to get in touch with a St. Louis car accident attorney and see what your options for compensation are. Under Missouri law, the at-fault driver is also responsible for covering for all your medical expenses created by the accident, so don’t skip on getting checked up for financial reasons.

06/28/2019

Dashboard cameras, or dash cams, are increasing in popularity as a security measure for Missouri drivers. They are no longer present just in law enforcement vehicles, but regular people often purchase these pieces of equipment and install them in their own cars.

Are Dash Cams Legal in Missouri?

The short answer is yes. Currently, there are no legal restrictions for dash camera usage in the state of Missouri. Many other states, however, do impose certain restrictions on dash cameras. So, if your accident takes place out of state and the matter needs to be resolved elsewhere, restrictions will likely apply to your car accident claim.

Dash cameras record and store videos, and are designed to operate independently. The driver does not need to perform any action while driving to activate it. Some more expensive equipment can have different types of features, such as parking mode where they continue to record video footage even when the vehicle stops.

Are These Videos Admissible?

According to Missouri courts, you can admit video footage of an accident into evidence. Most of the time, these cases go through one of the drivers’ insurance company, who may or may not have dash cam policies. However, even if the company is reluctant to accepting dash cam videos or denies introducing them into evidence, your St. Louis car accident lawyer could argue it’s relevance and take the matters in front of a judge.

However, that doesn’t mean all dash camera footage is valuable or can help a case. For instance, if the video footage is of low quality (grainy, blurry, etc.) then it may not effectively show what happened at the scene.

This is often an issue particularly if the accident takes place at night. Most people purchase more affordable cameras that have a difficult time recording when there is little light, so it’s possible for the footage not to reveal anything important.

Speak With an Attorney

In the event of a car accident where you get injured, you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer before you file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. These cases require a lot of evidence that proves your side of the story, and an attorney can help you acquire it. Give us a call 24/7 for a FREE case evaluation :: (314) 361-4242

05/22/2019

Many states are concerned when it comes to the safety of those traveling via bikes. In Missouri, for instance, there are many bike lanes especially designated for cyclists. However, when it comes to safety, it’s not all the responsibility of the state. Do you know your obligations?

The law says that cyclists may ride on any street except for travel lanes of interstate highways, and it remains illegal to take your bike on the sidewalk in a business district. Other than that, the same rules of traffic apply, such as stopping at a stop sign. Vehicles in Missouri are also required to visually mark their actions through the use of lights, but for cyclists, there are some hand signals you should use in certain cases.

Hand Signal for Cyclists

It’s imperative for those on the road to be able to communicate with each other to avoid accidents. Cyclists are not as protected as those inside passenger vehicles, so the use of correct hand gestures to show your intentions becomes even more important.

Here’s what you need to know:

Left turn - extend your left arm out sideways with all of your fingers extended, or use your index finger to point left;

Right turn - extend your right arm out sideways with all of your fingers extended, or use your index finger to point right;

Alternative right turn - another way to signal a right turn is to extend your left arm out sideways, and bending it to a 90 degree angle at the elbow joint, pointing the hand upward and the hand facing forward. This alternative comes in handy particularly for right-handed drivers who cannot keep control of the bike with only their left hand holding the steer.

Stopping or slowing down - extend your arm (either one, in this case) sideways and bend your arm downward at a 90-degree angle, with your hand or palm facing backward.

Were You Hit while on Your Bike? You May Have a Case

If you get hit by a car while on your bike, you may be entitled to compensation and recover the damages caused by the accident (medical bills, lost wages, property damages, etc.). You’ll like have to file a claim with the driver’s auto insurance company, as the policy also covers drivers in case they get into collisions with cyclists and pedestrians as well.

To ensure your legal rights are protected, you should get in touch with a St. Louis car accident lawyer and have them take a look at your case. They can review your case free of charge and advise the best course of action to take to get these benefits and can also assist you will all the legal proceedings you need. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE Case Evaluation.

04/30/2019

It’s almost that time of the year when the festivals are coming back, including St. Louis Cinco De Mayo. You probably already have a few weekends planned out for these types of events. It is also important to know the precautions you need to take to stay safe on the road and avoid a car accident.

The biggest issues with festival weekends appear on the trip back to your home. After a few days of partying, you may be understandably eager to get back to your bed and relax. And you’re probably tired, so it may be a lot more difficult to stay alert while behind the wheel.

Here are some tips to ensure a safe drive to and from the festival.

Check the Car

You should have your car inspected before a long drive. Have a mechanic check the tires, oil, brakes and see if there are any big issues with the car. You don’t want to become aware of them on the road.

Pack the Essentials

It’s important not to overpack. Many people can be overly excited and want to bring a lot of unnecessary things with them on a festival trip, and sometimes that can mean there’s not enough room for other essentials like a first aid kit or a spare tire. It’s just a few days, so you should consider what is essential to bring with you.

Know the Road

Everyone uses GPS these days, but before you start your trip, remember to check the route to the festival. Mark out where the gas stations are and if there are any other issues you should be aware of, like areas under construction you may need to avoid, or motels if you need a place to rest.

Rest

It’s understandable to want to party until the last second of the festival, but if you have a long road home, you should sleep for a few hours before getting behind the wheel.

Be Careful How Much You Drink

Alcohol and other substances can stay in your system for a long time after consumption, and they still may have an effect on your clarity. If you’re the designated driver, it’s best not to consume such substances the night before the drive.

Be Cautious

It’s likely that a lot of the cars on the road with you are also headed to the same festival. You should be extremely cautious at this time, and not break any traffic laws. Even if you want to get there as soon as possible, if the roads are more crowded than usual, there’s a higher possibility for an accident to occur.

04/17/2019

If you have a pet, then you may consider it a part of the family. You do everything you can to make sure they are loved, fed, and safe. However, sometimes, your pet’s safety can be out of your control.

Missouri law states that if you are the victim of a car accident, then you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages from the party at-fault. The law does not specifically mention whether pets fall under these categories, but since these proceedings most likely will go through the other driver’s insurance, they’ll be the ones to decide.

Insurance companies tend to handle these cases differently, but if you work with a lawyer, they can argue the veterinary costs constitute a burden on you directly caused by the accident, and therefore you are entitled to be compensated for it, as it would not have happened if it weren’t for the accident.

The amount you’ll be compensated, however, will depend on a few factors. In most cases, the pet’s age is taken into consideration, because older pets are more prone to complications. The argument here is that if the pet was younger, then the medical treatment it needs wouldn’t be as extensive as it would for older pets.

Other factors that may influence the final sum of the compensation include the pet’s health history, purchase price, breed, and pedigree. In these cases, many insurance companies consider pets as property, so they analyze the situation by calculating the pet’s value and seeing the potential losses caused by the accident.

Other methods insurance adjusters may use are calculating the cost of replacement, and factoring in any special economic values if the pet is trained to perform any special tasks (as it is with the case of guide dogs). All these details can factor in and influence the final amount.

What Should You Do?

If you’re pet been injured in a car accident, your best shot for getting compensation to cover for the veterinary bills is to speak with a St. Louis car accident lawyer. Please contact one as soon as possible and discuss the details of the case with them. They can advise the best course of action to make sure your pet’s treatment gets compensated by the person who’s caused their injuries. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.

03/30/2019

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare, hearing their child has been injured on a school bus. You put your faith in these drivers, thinking your child will safely reach school or home, but the reality is that all means of transportation come with some level of risk.

Most states, Missouri included, have extra traffic laws that protect school buses. As a result, the nation-wide statistics for accidents involving school buses are only at 0.4%. However, even if the number shows the chances are slim, it doesn’t mean accidents can’t happen. When they do, parents can be left wondering how to proceed.

What Does the Law Say?

Missouri drivers are required to stop when a school bus stops to let students on or off the vehicle, whether it’s at the educational institution or in the area where the children live. Still, distracted drivers, or those who are too impatient to wait, can violate these rules and cause an unfortunate incident.

When that happens, then the parents can ask for compensation from the at-fault driver. They can either file a personal injury claim on the child’s behalf with the driver’s insurance company, or even sue for negligence if the case warrants such a move. Your School Bus Accident Lawyer can advise you what is best for your case.

However, there is also the possibility of the school bus driver being at-fault. In this case, matters can be more complicated.

If the school bus driver is at fault, you may be able to recover compensation from the school district, which should have insurance for these type of events. Since they are a government entity, it can be quite difficult to demand compensation from them. The process is quite laborious and involves a lot more steps than if you’d be asking another driver for compensation. You should consult with your lawyer if this is the case. You will have to prove these other parties were negligent and caused the suffering of your child.

We Can Help!

It’s impossible to imagine what a parent feels when they find out their child has been injured. If you are in this situation, please contact a The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. to discuss your case and decide your next steps.

03/04/2019

Ride-sharing companies are becoming more and more popular. You can get a car at your front door with just a few taps on a smartphone. However, whenever someone gets injured during an Uber ride, the question is: who is held responsible?

Even in cases where your Uber driver was at fault, it may prove difficult to get compensation for your injuries. This is why you should consider speaking with a St. Louis Uber accident attorney as soon as possible.

Collecting Damages from Uber

There are some studies that suggest Uber and other such companies can often have a negative effect on traffic and increase the number of collisions. Whether this proves true or not, the victims of these accidents are often left wondering what is the best way they can get compensation.

As a Missouri resident, you are generally entitled to collect damages sustained while in an Uber vehicle if it is found that the driver was responsible for the accident. Uber offers its drivers insurance that can protect them from loss of income or cover medical expenses for this exact reason. As such, you’ll typically have to collect damages from the Uber driver’s insurer.

If, however, you intend to file a lawsuit, then chances are you will be dealing with the driver, and not the company. Uber drivers are independent contractors, and therefore the company generally cannot be held liable for the reckless actions of one of their drivers. Instead, any lawsuit will be filed against the driver of the vehicle that caused your injuries.

The only possible scenario where the company is liable for a suit is if you prove negligence on their part, such as not doing their due diligence when screening potential drivers. If there is no proof of negligence, then the company will likely bear no responsiblity.

Moreover, if the Uber driver is not at fault for the accident, then any claim you’ll want to file will likely be against the insurance company of the other driver.

What Should You Do?

It can be very difficult to determine who is at fault in a car accident. Insurance companies will often conduct their investigations to determine who is the party responsible, particularly if someone files a claim against them. If they deem the accident was not caused by the individual they insure, it’s possible they can dismiss the claim.

It’s best to work with a good St. Louis car accident lawyer, especially if they also have experience in handling cases involving Uber or other ride-sharing companies. They will review your case and recommend the best course of action to get compensated, so don’t hesitate to ask for their help if you’re in this situation. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 and we can review your case free of charge.

01/24/2019

Every industry is getting significantly smarter with the rise of technology. Cars are no different. While autonomous driving capabilities dominate the headlines, manufacturers are already incorporating highly useful driver assist features in their vehicles. Here's what this industry shift may mean for you.

Common Examples of Driver Assist Technologies

Though there are scores of technologies to choose from, the following are some of the most common of them.

Cruise control systems that adjust themselves based on the traffic ahead.

Headlights that automatically go on and off based on visibility.

Sensors that brake for you if you’re about to rear-end another driver.

Parallel parking assistance.

Sensors that tell you when someone is in your blind spot.

Warning notifications for when you drift out of your lane.

What They May Do For St. Louis Residents

If you understand what causes car accidents, you will see how much safer these technologies will make you. For example, rear-end collisions are among the most common types of car accidents. Whether that is due to intoxication, distraction, or any other reason, people frequently see damage to their property and health after these crashes. What a capability like brake assistance can do is either slow you down significantly before making contact or help you avoid it entirely. The other features we listed above will have similar positive effects.

A Trend That Counters This Effect

Unfortunately, the roads don’t seem to be getting significantly safer just yet. One reason why is that many of these technologies are in their infancy and are not effective enough to avoid every accident. The more significant factor is that some drivers seem to be getting worse, with the most likely explanation for that trend being distraction due to cell phones. Hopefully, we can see crashes and fatalities fall significantly in the coming future due to greater advances, improved driver behavior, or both.

What You Can Do Going Forward

There are two primary ideas that you can take away from this discussion.

Update Your Vehicle - There are very few assistive technologies that you can get installed in your car. Instead, it will generally take buying a new vehicle to get them. While you shouldn’t make a purchase you can’t afford, you might want to look at safety capabilities next time you’re in the market for a new car.

Keep Driving Properly - Don’t think that having these technologies allows you to slack off on safety habits. The better strategy is to keep driving well and enjoy even greater security through added features.

What is so great about driver assist capabilities is that your safety will hopefully increase as they get better. Unfortunately, these technologies are not advanced enough to keep you 100% safe. In the event of a collision, your best bet is speaking with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney to represent you. Doing so will give you an advocate in the complicated world of personal injury liability and a better shot at obtaining benefits for your damages.

Use Your Headlights

Though this safety tip is obvious, we still must stress its importance. Headlights help you in two ways. The first is illuminating the road in front of you so that you can see hazards and avoid them. The second is telling other cars where you are so they don’t accidentally hit you. Of all the recommendations we can give, having functional headlights and using them is the most useful.

Keep Your Windows and Mirrors Clean

One of the most problematic aspects of driving at night is other drivers shining their headlights through your windshield and in your mirrors. What makes it even worse is when they are dirty, which only exacerbates the glare. You can fight this effect by keeping your windows and mirrors clean.

Give Other Drivers More Space

Driving gets a bit harder in low light conditions, which makes bad drivers even worse. Avoiding accidents with these people mostly comes down to giving them space. Doing so will provide you with more time to stop or evade them if they make an erratic move.

Keep an Eye Out For Erratic Behavior

Nighttime is when the most drivers are either tired, intoxicated, or both. Additionally, many people just have trouble seeing in low light conditions and their driving skills deteriorates as a result. No matter what is going on with them, if you see them acting erratically, try to get away from them as soon as you can.

Be Aware of Pedestrians

Between drunk people coming out of bars, joggers, and everyone else that roams the streets at night, there are a lot of St. Louis residents that you must watch out for. While some of them wear reflective gear, many do not. That choice increases your responsibility to drive with caution.

Keep Your Speed Down

Though there are many dangers on the road, you can avoid most of them when you have enough time to react. Unfortunately, traveling at high speeds reduces your ability to do so. This is why keeping your pace a bit lower than usual is a smart strategy.

Take Breaks During Extended Trips

If you’re driving through the night, you might find yourself becoming fatigued. If so, don't try to suppress that feeling and soldier through, as that choice can mean getting into an accident. What you can do instead is take breaks throughout your drive and stay alert as a result.

Though driving at night can be dangerous, using these seven safety tips will significantly increase your odds of avoiding an accident. Still, you can always be hit by another driver and sustain an injury. In that case, you’ll want to call and discuss your legal options with a St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible. Call 24/7 :: (314) 361-4242